To fan or antifan, that is the question

Abstract

We introduce the complicated relationship between Shakespeare, performance studies, and fan studies before focusing on antifandom. In conjunction with evolving perspectives on antifan activities in recent years, we identify two broad, sometimes overlapping, categories of Shakespeare antifandom: (1) external antifandom or trolling that challenges the quality of his work or the perception of its cultural and intellectual value; and (2) internal antifandom or gatekeeping couched as a defense of Shakespeare against perceived threats posed by other Shakespeareans. In the process, we historicize Shakespeare antifandom activities and perspectives from Robert Greene to the present in order to answer the question, What does Shakespeare antifandom look like, and what are productive, rather than reductive, ways to engage with it? Over the course of this discussion, we offer the theoretical framework for the collection as a whole before explaining the organizational logic of the volume and overviewing the individual chapters.